Japan has recently introduced significant revisions to its foreign worker visa program, marking the first substantial update since the program’s establishment in 2019.
The primary objective of this reform is to address Japan’s pressing labor shortage, particularly in the transportation sector, by allowing foreign workers to stay for extended periods of up to five years.
The updated visa program now encompasses four additional sectors, reflecting Japan’s urgent need for skilled workers. These include road and railway transportation, where skilled foreign workers can take up roles as bus drivers, taxi drivers, and truck drivers.
These foreign workers must be employed by companies certified by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism.
The forestry sector has seen an increasing demand for labor, allowing foreign workers to engage in roles related to sustainable forest management and harvesting.
The timber industries sector, which involves the processing and manufacturing of timber products, also welcomes foreign workers skilled in woodworking and related industries.
Several factors have contributed to Japan’s labor shortage, including a declining birth rate leading to an aging population and a diminishing workforce, as well as shortages in the transportation and logistics sectors due to the rise in online shopping and delivery services.
To mitigate these shortages, the Japanese government is implementing new regulations to restrict overtime hours for drivers, commonly referred to as the “2024 problem.” This measure aims to improve working conditions and make jobs in the transportation sector more appealing to both domestic and foreign workers.
In a bid to address the labor shortage, the Japanese government plans to admit up to 820,000 skilled foreign workers over the next five fiscal years, starting from April.
This figure represents an increase compared to the previous estimate for the five years leading up to fiscal 2023, which concluded in March.
One of the key requirements for foreign workers is proficiency in Japanese at the N3 level, as defined by the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. This proficiency is particularly important for positions that involve direct communication with passengers.
In response to public feedback on the proposed reforms, the Japanese government is planning to revise relevant regulations, including those under the Justice Ministry, to facilitate the smooth acceptance and integration of skilled workers in the newly added sectors.
Yoshimasa Hayashi, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, has urged relevant ministers to prepare for the seamless integration of foreign workers.
This includes ensuring that these workers are well-supported and accommodated in their new roles and living environments.
Japan’s updated foreign worker visa program is a strategic initiative aimed at addressing critical labor shortages in key sectors by allowing skilled foreign workers to stay for extended periods and work in designated industries.
This comprehensive reform is expected to make a significant contribution to Japan’s economy and workforce in the coming years.
